| Pools | Designated Swimming Areas |
|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (Worcester) | Douglas State Forest (Douglas) |
| Philip Weihn Memorial Swimming Pool (Clinton) | Dunn State Park (Gardner) |
| Gustave Johnson Memorial Swimming Pool (Fitchburg) | Erving State Forest |
| Sen. P. Eugene Casey Memorial Pool (Milford) | Hopkinton State Park |
| Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool (Vernon Hill, Worcester) | Lake Dennison (Winchendon) |
| Lake Wyola State Park (Shutesbury) | |
| Quinsigamond State Park – Regatta Point (Worcester) | |
| Quinsigamond State Park – Lake Park (Worcester) | |
| Rutland State Park | |
| Leominster State Forest |
For Additional Information
For further information on working in the Central Region or for information on upcoming swim assessments, certification courses or skill development opportunities please contact:
Lauren Hopper | (857) 208-1225 | dcr.pwscentral@mass.gov
To Apply
To apply for a position, please visit Pool and Waterfront Safety Application
DCR-Sponsored Lifeguard Certification Courses
DCR offers qualified lifeguard candidates that end up working for DCR over the upcoming summer an opportunity to become certified at no cost. Persons who participate in a DCR training program and then who do not to work for DCR over the course of the upcoming summer will be expected to pay for the certification course themselves. This cost can be upwards of $400.
Most DCR lifeguarding courses use a Blended Format. These classes have an online component that must be completed before the in-person pool sessions.
- The online component takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Please plan accordingly and distribute this learning over a period of days.
- Do not wait until the last minute to do the online training. Any issues with the technology or accessing the Red Cross training site must be resolved in time to allow completion of the online content before the in-person session. We recommend completing the online training at least one week prior to the in-person sessions.
- Candidates must print and bring proof of completion of the online content to the in-person session.
Candidates who do not bring proof of completion to the in-person sessions will not be able to attend the in-person sessions and will not be eligible for certification. This is a Red Cross policy.
Central Region Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Recerts, Waterfront and WSI Courses for 2025
Successful completion of a Lifeguarding or Lifeguarding Review course will provide candidates with certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Certification is valid for two years.
Individuals looking to work at a DCR waterfront will also need to complete the Red Cross Waterfront Skills Module. This course is typically scheduled in May and June.
Some YMCA Lifeguarding courses may include waterfront certification. If your YMCA Lifeguarding course contains Waterfront Skills, this should be noted on your certification. If your certification does not indicate Waterfront Skills you will need to complete a Waterfront Skills course in order to work at a beach.
To be eligible for an American Red Cross Review course, your certification must be current. The Red Cross will allow a 30 day grace period for enrollment into a review course. If your certification has expired by 31 days or more you must take a full course to become certified.
To register for any of these courses, please contact our DCR-Central team at dcr.pwscentral@mass.gov. Class sizes are limited, and registration is first-come, first-served, so don’t wait until the last few classes to get certified – there may be no spaces left. Participants must attend all class dates listed for each course.
You can also direct questions to Lauren Hopper, PWS Central Region Recruitment Manager, via phone at (857) 208-1225.
| Course Name Lifeguard Winter | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeguarding Pre-course One Required for course below | 12/8/24 OR 12/14/24 | 9:00 AM– 11:00 AM | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront. December School Vacation | 12/22/24, 12/23/24 & 12/26 – 12/28 | 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM Every Day | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course. One Required for course below | Saturday 1/4/25 OR Saturday 2/8/25 | 9:00 AM– 11:00 AM | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront. February School Vacation | Sunday 2/16/25 Wed 2/19/25 Thursday 2/20/25 | 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM Every Day | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course Required for course below | Friday 1/31 | 4:00 PM-6:00 PM | Westborough YMCA |
| Blended Learning- Lifeguarding with Waterfront. February School Vacation | Monday 2/17/25 Tuesday 2/18/25 Wed 2/19/25 Thursday 2/20 | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Every Day | Westborough YMCA |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course. One Required for course below | Tuesday 2/4/25 OR Thursday 2/6/25 | 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM | Greenfield YMCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront. February School Vacation | Monday 2/17/25 Tuesday 2/18/25 Wed 2/19/25 Thursday 2/20 | Noon-8:30 PM Every Day | Greenfield YMCA |
| Lifeguard Spring | Date | Time | Location |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront. March | Sunday 3/16/25 Monday 3/17/25 Tuesday 3/18/25 Wed 3/19/25 Thursday 3/20/25 | 9:00am-4:00PM 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront. March | 3/15, 3/15. 3/22, 3/22 | 7:00 AM- 3:30PM | Boxborough Swym Fit |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course Required for course below | Friday 3/14/25 | 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM | Fitchburg YMCA |
| Blended Learning- Lifeguarding with Waterfront. April | Wed 4/9/25 Thursday 4/10/25 Friday 4/11/25 Saturday 4/12/25 Sunday 4/13/25 | 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM 1:00PM-6:00PM 9:00am-5:00PM | Fitchburg YMCA |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course Required for course below | Saturday 4/5 | Noon-2pm | Worcester YMCA |
| Blended Learning- Lifeguarding with Waterfront. April School Vacation | Wed 4/23/25 Thursday 4/24/25 Friday 4/25/25 | 10:30am-7:30pm 9:30am-5:30pm Noon-7:30pm | Worcester YMCA |
| Lifeguarding Pre-course. One Required for course below | Tuesday 4/8/25 OR Thursday 4/10/25 | 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM | Greenfield YMCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront. April School Vacation | Monday 4/21/25 Tuesday 4/22/25 Wed 4/23/25 Thursday 4/24/25 | Noon- 8:30 PM Every Day | Greenfield YMCA |
| Lifeguard RECERT- Winter | Date | Time | Location |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- DEC School Vaca | Fri 12/20/24 & Sat 12/21/24 | 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM both days | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- JAN | Sat 1/4/25 & Sun 1/5/25 | 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM both days | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- FEB School Vaca | Mon 2/17/25 & Tues 2/18/25 | 10:30 AM- 4:30 PM both days | Worcester YMCA |
| Lifeguard RECERT- Spring | Date | Time | Location |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- March | Sat 3/15/25 & Sun 3/16/25 | 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM both days | Worcester YWCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- April | Thurs 4/3/25 Friday 4/4/25 Saturday 4/5/25 | 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM 1:00PM- 6:00 PM | Fitchburg YMCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- April | Tue 4/15/25, Wed 4/16/25 & Thurs 4/17/25 | 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM Every Day | Greenfield YMCA |
| Lifeguarding with Waterfront Recert- April School Vaca | Sat 4/26/25 & Sun 4/27/25 | Noon- 5:30 PM both days | Worcester YMCA |
| Course Name Waterfront | Date | Time | Location |
| Waterfront Skills | Saturday 5/31/25 | 10am-4pm | Quinsigamond State Park |
| Course Name WSI | Date | Time | Location |
| WSI | 2/20, 2/21, 2/22 | 9:00AM- 4:00PM Every Day | Wayside Athletic Club |
| WSI- Blended Learning | 5/10,5/11,5/17,5/18 | 7:00 AM- 1:30 PM Every Day | Worcester Country Club |
Central Region CPR/AED Classes
Massachusetts state law requires lifeguards employed by the state or its municipalities to undergo CPR certification annually. If your CPR certification was issued before September 2, 2024, you will need to attend a CPR Basic Life Support / Professional Rescuer Review Course.
To register for any of these courses, please contact Lauren Hopper via phone (857) 208-1225 or via email dcr.pwscentral@mass.gov.
| Course Name CPR Winter | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 12/19/24 | 10:00AM- 2:00PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 1/4/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 1/11/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 1/25/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 2/15/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Greenfield Library |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 2/18/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 2/21/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Leominster Library |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 3/8/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 3/13/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 3/19/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 4/5/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |
| ARC- CPR Pro Recertification | 4/26/25 | 10:00AM- 2:30PM | Worcester VC |